Signaling system



C. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM may m 1927; wzmas Filed 00123. 1925 s Shets-Sheec 1 WI lll l ll I50 J U0 c. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTE/IM Filed Oct. 23; 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .3 I I I 5! 9 l l l 9a 3 INVENTOR May 10., 1927.

- 1,627,685 0. E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed ot. 23. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Patented May I0, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. BEACH, OF 'BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO THE GAMEWELL COMPANY, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed October 23, 1923. Serial No. 670,339.

This application is a refile of an application filed by me January 27, 1922, Serial No. 532,211 and which became abandoned on July 21, 1923.

This invention relates to signaling systems, and is particularly suited for use in connection with signaling circuits in which two classes of signals may be formulated, for one of which classes there should be manifestation different from or supplemental to that ordinarily effective for the other ofsuch classes.

Signaling systems embodying this invention may be advantageously employed for automatic fire alarm service in which signals of one class may be termed routine signals, being employed to give Warning of disarrangeme'nts of wiring, apparatus or current sources within protected premises, and in which signals of another class may be termed emergency signals, being employed to give warning of a tire. It is evident that such routine signals should be so manifested as to be brought to the attention of persons responsible for correcting disarrangements and keeping the system in working ordelg while it is very ir'npor ant that such emergency signals should be promptly and dependably brought to the attention of a municipal or other fire department. For reasons well understood by those skilled in this art, it is deemed highly objectionable forany manifestations of routine signals to he made by instrumentalities intended for emergency signals, and, forv such reasons, direct connections with automatic fire alarm systems are frequently refused by municipal authorities when it is found that routine signals may cause manifestations at the houses or at fire alarm headquarters which are identical with fire signals except as to the number or arrangement of their component parts. t

It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that this invention is also suited for embodiment in combination night-watch and fire-alarm systems, combination sprinklersupcrvisory and flow-alarm systems. and for many other signaling systems employing both routine and emergency signals.

In many existing signaling systems which utilize both routine and emergency signals, facilities are provided for the transmission of signals under normal conditions through a closed metallic circuit, together with facilities for the transmission of signals through the ground at times When the normal metallic path is broken; switching means being provided at signal receiving stations for revising the relationship to the i0 signaling circuit of manifesting instrumentalities at such stations, so as to conserve the battery power utilized for the energization of local manifesting station circuits and to obtain intended responses to routine signals and to changes in condition of the main line circuit.

An object of this invention is to provide a signaling system so arranged that signal manifesting instrumentalities intended for response to the formulation of signals of one class therein will not be responsive to the formulation of signals of the other class under any anticipated service condition.

Another object is to provide such a sysre temso constructed and arranged that manifesting instrumentalities for signals of vone class will not be caused to act in response to any circuit condition, or in response to so called stray impulses in the signaling circuit associated therewith; but will remain completely inactive at all times except during the formulation of signals of the class for response to which they are intended.

A further object is to provide such a sig- 8:; naliug system in which manifesting devices which are unresponsive to some signals will respond to all impulses of signals of the class for which they are intended even though individual ones of such impulses do not differ in character from those of signals to which such manifesting devices should be unresponsive.

A further object is to provide such a signaling system in which the relationship of certain responsive devices to their associated signaling circuit may be varied so as to be suited to either all metallic or groundreturn operative conditions without altering the effectiveness of responsiveness to signals of either class and without establishing a relationship between the manifesting devices and their associated signaling circuit such as might cause action of such devices other than in response to a signal of the class for which they are intended.

A further object is to provide such a system in which the local circuits or branch current paths at the manifesting station will stand open while the main line circuit is normally conditioned and the apparatus in such manifesting station is in its normal position; providing means for adjusting such apparatus so that such local paths will stand open while the main line circuit. is abnormally conditioned; and providing another local path for the control of a se lector, which path will, during the forn1ulation of a signal, be correspondingly affected by makes and breaks of the main line circuit regardless of such adjustment of said apparatus, to the end that commercial forms of selectors may be effectively employed in such local path.

For the fulfillment of the foregoing objects, and of other objects the nature of which will be readily understood as the in vention is hereinafter disclosed, said inven tion consists in the improved con'ibinations, relative arrangements and interconnections of parts hereinafter fully described, illus trated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the annexed claims.

Like reference characters denote similar parts throughout the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system embodying this invention in a manner suited to certain operative conditions,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation similar to that of Fig. 1. of a system suited to other operative conditions,

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic representations, upon an enlarged scale, of the mechanical features of the selectors of Figs. 1 and 2.

In the signaling system diagraimnatieally illustrated by Fig. 1, the conductors 21 to 30 connect the signal initiating stations A, B and C with one another. with the line relays R and R and with the current source comprising the two batteries S and S, so as to provide a main signaling circuit; and the batteries S and S of said current source are connected for supplying local current paths which are controlled (directly or indirectly) by the relays R and It respectively.

The stations A, B and C are provided with the code wheels generally designated by the numeral 31, the outlines of the peripheries of said wheels being such as to suit them for formulating the code numbers 31. 21 and 41, respectively.

The construction and arrangement of the mechanism, conductors and terminals of the stations A, B and C is identical (other than as to the differences in the code numbers hereinbefore pointed out) and, for this reason, but one of said stations will be here described in detail.

The initiating station mechanism includes a starting handle 32, which moves with a ratchet wlieel 33, which wheel coacts with the dog 34 for the purpose of driving the main wheel An intermediate gear 36 moves with the pinion 37, which is driven by the main wheel 35, and said gear acts through the pinion 38 and shaft 39 to drive the code wheel 31 and the secondary signal member 40. Driving means and mechanism for regulating the speed of rotation of the wheel work are not shown, as such features are well understood by those skilled in this art and form no part of this invention.

- A switch cam 42 moves with the ratchet wheel 43, and the arm 44 moves With the shaft 39 and carries a pin 45' for engaging the teeth of said wheel to impart step-by-step counter-clockwise rotation thereto; such rotation from the position shown being yieldingly opposed. as by a spring (not shown). A hook 46, pivoted at 47, is arranged for engaging the teeth of the wheel 43 for retaining steps of rotation imparted thereto by the pin 45; and the lever 48 moves with said hook. the free end of said lever being disposed in the path of an arm 49 which moves with the starting handle 32 and which is so positioned that, when said handle is normally positioned, said arm will act through said lever to withdraw the hook 46 from the path of the teeth of the wheel 43; and so that, when said handle has been moved from its normal position an angular distance corresponding to that occupied by one or more of the teeth of the wheel 33, said hook may be moved (as by gravity) into the path of the teeth of the wheel 43.

The insulating tip 51 carried at the free end of the contact 52 engages the periphery of the code wheel 31, and the contacts 53 and 5-4 are so positioned as to be engaged by the contact 52. when said contact is in the position to which it is raised by engagement of teeth of the code wheel 31 with the tip 51. The member 40 has two raised faces 61 and 62 and an intermediate face 63, and the con tact 64 hasan insulating tip (35 disposed in the path of said faces for, actuation thereby. The contacts 66 and (37 are mounted in such position that the contact 64 will en age therewith only when in the position to which it is raised when the tip (35 is supported y the faces (31 or (32, and the contact (38 is mounted in such position that the contact (14 will engage therewith only when neither the faces (31. (32 or 63 are supporting the tip 65.

The contact 71 is mounted in such position that the free end thereof engages the periphery of the cam 42 at such point thereon, relative to the raised surface 72 formed therein, that such surface will engage said contactonly when said cam has been rotated in counterclockwise direction from the normal position thereof an angular distance greater than that between adjacent teeth of the wheel 43. The contact 73 is connected to the contact 71 by the insulating spacer 74 and the contacts 75 and 76 are so mounted as to be engaged by the contacts 71 and 73, respectively, only when said contacts 71 and 723 are in the position to which they are moved by engagement of the. free end of said contact 71 by the surface 72.

The code wheel 31 and the member 40 are so relatively positioned upon the shaft 39 that, when in normal position, the contact 52 will be supported 'by the tooth representing the first stroke of the code number of the wheel 31 and the contact 64 will be sup ported by the intermediate face (33, and so that upon clockwise rotation of said shaft 39 from the normal position thereof, the face 62- will be withdrawn fromthe path of the tip 65 before the first tooth of the code wht'el 31 is withdrawn from the path of the tip 51. The tooth of the code wheel 31 which represents the last stroke of the number thereof is so positioned with relation to the raised face 61 of the member 40 that, during clockwise rotation of the shaft 39. said tooth will be withdrawn from the path of the tip 51 before said face will engage the tip (35. v

The terminals 81 and 82 are provided for receiving the line conductors, and the terminal 83 provided for receiving the ground conductor 81 leading to the ground connection e The conductors 85, 86 and 8? connect the terminal 81 to the contacts and 66. The conductors 88. 89 and 90 connect the terminal 83 to the contacts 76 and (38. The conductors 91, 9:2 and 93 connect the terminal 82 to the contacts 71 and 51. the conductors 94. 95 and 96 connect the contact 73 with the contacts 52 and ($4. The conductor 97 connects the contact 75 to the contact 67.

The norlnal current-path through the signaling circuit is as follows: from one terminal of the battery S, through conductor 21., through the winding of relay R and conductor 23 to terminal 81 of station A; thence through conductors 85 and 80, through contacts 53, 52 and 54. and conductors 03 and 91 to terminal 82 of said station, thence through conductor 21 to terminal S1 of station B, and correspondingly through station B to, terminal 82 thereof, thence through conductor 25 to terminal 81 of station C and correspondingly through said station to terminal 82 thereof. thence through conductor 26, winding of relay R". conductor 27, battery S", and conductors 29 and 30 to the other terminal of battery S.

The conductors 29 and 30, between the batteries S' and S", are connected to the central ofliee ground G, through the conductors 98 and 99.

The registers I, I, the tap bells T, T and the buzzers Z, Z are respectively associated with the relays R and R" for the purpose of visibly and audibly manifesting signals to which said relays respond; and the tap bell manifesting devices M M and their controlling selectors K and K are associated with the relays It and R, respectively, so as to manifest certain of the signals responded to by respective ones of said relays. as hereinafter more fully explained.

Each of the registers 1, I comprises a controlling magnet 101 having an armature 102 controlling a ledge bar 103 which cooperates with the detent arm 104 in a manner well understood by those skilled in this art; to the end that when said arm is in fully elevated position-and said armature is in attracted position said bar will be positioned for retaining said arm in such elevated position; and that when said armature thereafter moves to retracted position. said arm will be permitted to move somewhat downwardly, and when said armature thereafter moves from retracted to attracted position said bar will permit said arm to freel fall. The arm 101 is' pivoted at 105 and has associated therewith the fingers 106 and 107, which fingers are arranged for cooperation with members moving with the shaft 108 so that, when said arm 101 is in fully elevated position, the finger 106 will be disposed in the path of a member moving with the shaft 108 so as to prevent rotation thereof; and, when said arm 101 is in the position which ita sumes after complete disengagement thereof by the bar 103, said finger 106 will be withdrawn from the path of such coengaging member and the finger 107 will be disposed in the path of a member moving with the shaft 108 so that, during the rotation of such shaft following the release thereof from the finger 106, movement will be imparted to the arm 104 through the finger 107 such as will raise said arm to its fully elevated position. Suitable stamping. embossing, or punching mechanism may be arranged for operation incident to the rotation of shaft 108, for suitably marking. tape supplied by the roll 109. Such mechanism is not shown on the drawing and will notbe herein described in detail, as it forms nopart of this invention-and those skilled in this art are well acquainted with various types of such mechanism which are suitable for cooperation witlr the shaft 108. Each ofthe registers I, I is also provided withmechanism for propelling the paper tape supplied by the roll 109, which n'iechanisn'i is illustrated by the tvpical paper feeding traincomprising the lever 114 pivoted at 1.15 and carrying a toothed sector 116 which engages with the pinion 111'; said pinion, the ratchet wheel 119 and the gear 120 being so carried by the shaft 118 that, said pinion and wheel will always rotate together but may rotate independently of said gear. The escape wheel 1.21 is driven by the gear 120 through the pinion 122, and said escape wheel is engaged by the escapement pallet 123 for suitably regulating the speed of rotation thereof. The cam 124. carried by the marking mechanism shaft 108, is so arranged that rotation thereof ma move the lever 114 downwardly, and thereby act through the sector 116 to rotate the pinion 117 and through it the ratchet wheel 119. Said wheel 119 is so connected with the gear 120 that said gear need not rotate upon the occurrence of rotation of said pinion in the direction caused by downward movement of the lever 114, as just described; but so that rotation of said pinion in the direction caused by upward movement of said lever will cause corresponding rotation of said gear. A coiled spring 125 is so applied to the lever 114 as to serve to raise said lever, and thereby drive the gearing connected therewith, after said lever has been moved downwardly during the rotation of the cam 124; the speed of rotationof said gearing being suitably retarded by the cooperation of the pallet 123 and escape wheel 121. The contacts 126 and 127 are so asi'ociated with the free end of the lever 114 that said contacts will be separated when said lever is in fully elevated position, but will be closed at all other times.

In view of the fact that registers equipped with paper-feed-train-controlled contacts are well known in the prior art, as exemplified by my prior Patent No. 1,274,367, dated August (i, 1919, and the patent to Kirnan, No. 911,016, dated January 26, 1909; it is believed that clearness and simplicity of illustration and brevity of description are best attained by use of the schematic typifying representations shown in the accompanying drawings and hereinbefore described, rather than showing detailed features of construction which form no part of this invention, and a full understanding of which may be obtained by reference to patents such as those to Berst dated Qctober 3, 1899, and January 21, 1902, and numbered 633,982, and 691,587, respectively.

Switches J, J are provided for rendering the registers I, I, tap bells T, T and buzzers Z, Z responsive to either the front or back contacts of the relays R and R, respectively. In this connection it should be noted that the responsiveness of the registers I, manifesting devices M, tap bells T and buzzers Z is significant in a signal manifesting sense only upon the energization of the current paths of the controlling magnets of these devices, respectively; such arrangement being in accordance with fairly general .practice in signaling systems of the type indicated. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that, if desired, corresponding instrumentalities might be arranged for significant response to interruption of the current paths of the controlling magnets thereof, respectively, without de-,

parting from the spirit of this invention. It should also be understood that the term significant response -as herein employed in defining the operative characteristics of any instrument or device, refers to that ac;

tion of such device which causes or consti- 'tutes the effective swnal manifestation of a cycle of current c hanges constituting a signaling impulse Thus the significant response of the selectors K, the lock-up relays L and manifesting devices M, when arranged,

the buzzers Z, Z, respectively, to maintain current flow in the path in which said buzzers are connected during the intervals when the contacts of said buzzers are separated during the operation thereof.

The selector K associated with the relay R" comprises a contact arm 136 constantly urged toward the back stop 137 by the spring 138 and movable in response to energizations of theelectromagnet 135 so as to be brought into engagement with the front stop 139 upon an energization of said magnet following two energizations each maintained for a period longer than the closed circuit intervals which result from the engagement of any tooth. of the code wheel 31 of an initiating station with the tip. 51 associated therewith. The representations of actuatingftiming and holding means associated with the magnet 135 and the arm 136 are best shown in Figs 3, 4 and 5; in which it will be seen that the magnet 135 has an armature 182 associated therewith, said armature being carried by the lever 183, pivoted at 184, and having the retractile spring 185 suitably 'applied thereto. The pawl 186, is pivotally secured to said lever 183, and has an end 187 adapted for engagement with the teeth 188 formed in the periphery of the disc 189; the other end of said pawl being bent over to form a tail 190 so positioned .as to strike the back stop 191 when'said lever 183 moves the armature away from the magnet 135, and thereby 1,e27,aso

serves both to limit the retractive movement of said armature and to swing the end 187 of said pawl out of the path of said teeth 188 when said armature is in fully retracted position.

The spring 192, is so applied between the pawl 186 and the lever 183 as to tend to swing the end 187 of said pawl toward the (115411 189, but the strength of said spring is insufiicient to prevent the pull of the retractile spring 185 from causing the end 187 of said pawl to be swung away from the disc 189 when the magnet 135 is deenergized.

The disc 189 moves with the arm 136, and has teeth 193 formed in the periphery thereof. in addition to the teeth 188 hereinbeforc referred to; the portion of said disc immediately to the left of the teeth 193 of said selector K, (as viewed in Fig. 1) being arranged to provide the lug 193 which is higher than any of said teeth 193, for a reason hereinafter more fully explained.

The dog 194, pivoted at 195, has the free end thereof so formed as to be adapted to engage the teeth 193 of the disc 189.

A cup 196, is pivotally connected to the dog 194, and a piston 197, pivotally mounted at 198, is arranged for cooperation with said cup so as to form a dashpot for suitably retarding the downward movement of said dog. A recess 199 is formed in the piston 197, and a valve member 200 is provide upon the upper face of said piston so as to permit air to readily enter the cup 196 during upward movement thereof, while restricting the escape of such air during thedownward movement of said cup.

The weight 201 is applied to the dog 194, near the free end thereof, for the purposes 0 urging said dog toward the disc 189 and of increasing the travel of said dog away from said disc when a tooth thereof passes under the free end of said dog, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The various parts of said selector are so proportioned and arranged that, when the magnet 135 is given intended energi-zation, tie resultant downward movement of the pawl 186 will permit the end 187 thereof to engage the one of the teeth 188 then presented thereto and thereby cause rotation of the disc 189 an angular distance slightly in excess of that between adjacent ones of said teeth. Such rotation of said disc will move one of the teeth 193 past the free end of the dog 194 at such speed as to impart suflicient momentum to said dog, and to the weight 201 carried thereby, as will cause the free end of said dog to rise somewhat above the path of said teeth 193; the valve member 200 permitting the free entry of air into the cup 196 during such upward movement of said dog, and thereupon closing the upper end of the recess 199 so that the downward movement of the dog 194 will be suitably retarded.

Such retardation of said dog 194 is so timed that-if the duration of "the energization of magnet 135 is no greater than would result from the closure of the contacts 52, 53 and 54. of any of the initiating stations A. B, or C incident to the engagement of the insulating tip 51 by any tooth of the core wheel 31 thereat, incident to the running of such code wheel-ensuing deenergization of the magnet will permit the lever 183 to carry the tail 190 into engagement with the back stop 191, and thus swing the end 187 of the pawl 186 out of the path of the teeth 188, before the free end of the dog 194 has dropped far enough to engage the teeth 193; whereupon the disc 189 and the arm 136 will be restored to their normal positions by the spring 138. The retardation of said dog 194 is further so timed that-if the duration of the energization of magnet 135 is as great as would result from closure of the contacts 64, 66 and 67 of any of the initiating stations A. B or C incident to the engagement of the insulating tip by either of the faces 61 or 62 of the member 40 thereat, incident to the rotation 1' said 1nember-such continued encrgization of said magnet will retain the lever 183 in attracted position until the free end of the dog 194 has dropped far enough d to engage the teeth 193, so that the disc 189 and the arm 136 will notbe restored to their normal positions when the magnet 135 is thereafer deenergized. When the arm,136 is in engagement with the stop 139, the lug 193' holds the dog 194 in suchelevated position that when the pawl 186 is thereafter f withdrawn from the teeth 188, said arm 136 will have time to move into engagement with the stop 137, before said dog 194 will be permitted (by the dashpot 196, 197) to drop far enough so that the free end of said dog may engage the teeth 193.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that movement imparted to the disc 189 and arm 136 incident to energization of the magnet 135 will be retained or restored, dependent upon whether the energization of said magnet is for a, duration such as results from closures produced by the faces 61 and 62 or closuresproduced during the rotation of the code wheel 31, incident to the actuation by the teeth thereof of the contacts controlled thereby.

The foregoing description of the particular type of selector shown by the accompanydrawings is given for the purpose of c ear indicating the general characteristics of selectors suitable for use with this invention, but it should be understood that other types of selectors may be advantageously employed in connection with this invention.

A lock-up relay Lis associated with-the selector K for the purpose of maintaining the current path established when the arm 136 of said selector is brought into engagement with the stop 139 associated therewith, as hereinbefore more fully explained.

The selector K combines the functions of the selector K and the lock-up relay L: the electromagnet 135' being prmidcd with two windings, one of which corresponds withtho winding of the electromagnet 135 ot the sclector' K and the other of which corres iionds with the winding oi the lock-up relay L: and the selector -I\', is provided with a lock-- up contact 140 for cooperation with the arm 136 concurrently with the stop 139; otherwise. the construction and arrangement of the selector K corresponds with that of the selector K. The conductor 150 connects conductor 21 to one terminal of the lock-up winding of the electromagnet 135" of the selector K. and the conductor 151 connects the other terminal of said winding to the contact 140. The conductor 152 connects the conductor 21 to the armature of relay R, the conductor 153 connects the front stop of the relay R to one terminal of the actuating winding of the selector K. and the conductor 154 connects the other terminal of said winding to the contact 127 of the register I associated with said relay R. The conductor 155 connects the conductor 153 to the terminal 131 of the switch J. The conductor 156 connects the conductor 153 to one end of the winding of the electromagnet of the manifesting device M. and the conductor 157 connects the other end "of said winding to the stop 139. The conductor 158 connects the conductor 154. through the spring 138 to to the arm 136. The conductor 159 'connects the contact 132 of the switch J to the back stop of the relay R. and the conductor 160 connects the arm 130 of said switch to one terminal of the resistance U: theother terminal of said resistance being connected through the conductor 161 to one terminal of the winding of the tap bell T. The conductors 162 and 163 connect the buzzer Zhetween the conductors 160 and 161. The conductor 164 connects the other terminal of the tap bell T to one terminal of the controlling magnet 101 of the register I, and the conductor 165 connects the other terminal of the winding of said magnet to the conductor 98. The conductor 166 connects the contact 126 of the register I to "the conductor 165.

The local path conductors associated with the relay R correspond with those associated with the relay R, as just described, except that the conductor 150 connects the conductor 27 to one end of the winding of the electromagnet of the lock-up relay L and the other end of the winding of said electromagnet is connected through the conductor 167 'to the stop .139 of the selector K; the

Fig.1 is as 't'ollows:assuming that the parts are positioned, as shown. the main line';c urrent path being closed and the central office local current paths amlinitiating station ground paths being-open,a routine signal may be sent from any one of, the initating stations by moving the starting handle 32 thereat so as to carry one or two of theteeth of the associated ratchet wheel 33 past the end of its cooperating dog 34. and thereupon releasing said starting handle and permitting a corresponding one or two rotations of a the associated code wheel 31. Upon the commencement of such rotation of said code wheel, the intermediate face 63 will be with-' drawn from the path of the tip 65 and the contact 64 will thereupon move into engagement with the contact 68; and during the subsequent rotation of the wheel 31 the relays R and R will act in response to the code number thereof in a manner well understood by those skilled in this art. Just before the end of each revolution of the code wheel 31. the pin 45 carried by the arm 44 will engage a tooth of the wheel 43 and move said wheel in a counterclockwise direction. The movement first thus imparted to the wheel 43 will be temporarily retained by the hook 4(. but. during the second revolution of the wheel 31, the arm 49 will engage the lever 48 and move the hook 46 out of the path of the wheel 43 so that, when the pin 45 moves out of the path of the'teeth of said wheel at the conclusion of the second revolution of the code wheel 31, the hook 46 will have been withdrawn from the path of said teeth and the wheel 43 and its associated cam 42 will return to their normal position.

Upon the first interruption of the mainline circuit incident to the rotation of the wheel 31, as just described. the armature of the re lay R will move to retracted position. and will thereby establish a local current path as follows: from one terminal of battery S through conductor 21 to and tl'irough conductor 152 to the armature of relay R. thence through said armature. to and through the back stop associated therewith. through conductor 1539. contact 132 and arm 130 of switch J. through conductor 160, to

and through resistance U and buzzer Z- in parallel. thence through conductor 161. windings of tap bell T. conductor 164. windings of magnet 101. and conductors 165. 96 and 30 to the other terminal of battery S.

Upon the establishment of the local curlOt) ' gagement with the contact 126;

rent path just of the register I will be moved to attracted position, and, the bell T will sound; and, so long as such current path is maintained, the buzzer Z will sound continuously.

Upon movement of the armature 1020f register I to attracted position, as just described, the ledge bar 103\ will disengage the detent arm 104, and said arm will thereupon move downwardly, and thereby withdraw the finger 106 from the path of the revoluble part coengaging therewith,- and thus permit the shaft 108 to revolve. Dur ing the ensuing revolution of the shaft 108, the cam 124 will move the lever 114 against the tension of the spring 125 and will thus withdraw the free end of said lever from enwhereupon said contact will move into engagement 'wit the contact 127. Such rotation of the shaft .108 will also cause a part moving therewith to engage-the finger 107 and thereby restore the arm 104'to itsnormal position; and the downward movement of the lever 114 which results from such rotation of said shaft 108 will rotate the ratchet Wheel 119 relative ly to the gear 120 and, when the riseof the cam 124 is withdrawn from. the path of the portion of the lever 114 which cooperated therewith, said ratchet wheel 119 will be operatively connected to the gear 120, so that the return-of the lever 114 to its normal position will be suitably retarded by the cooperation of the escapement wheel 121 with the pallet 123.

After the register I has acted in response to the first break in the main line circuit, as just described, when said circuit is closed incident to the engagement of the tip 51 by the second tooth of the code wheel 31, the armature of the relay R will move to attracted position, and will thereby establish a current path as follows: from one terminal of the source S, through conductor 21 to and through conductor 152, to and through the armature of relay R to the front stop as sociated therewith: thence through conductor 153 to and through the actuating winding of the electromagnet 135' of the selector K, thence through conductor 154 to and through contact 127 of the register I, thence through the contact 126. through conductors 166, 165, 98 and 30 to'the other terminal of the battery S.

Upon establishment of the current path just described. the magnet 135' of the selector K will be effectively energized, and such energization will result in movement of the arm 136 away from thestop 137; but, because of the brief duration of the energizations of said magnet resulting from the actuation of the contact 52 by the teeth of the code wheel 31 of the operating station, said arm will move back into engagement with the stop 137 upon the occasion of each brea'k described, the armature 102 trolled mechanism of such selector will act.

to retain the arm 136 spaced away from the stop 137 by the distance of one step of the movement of said arm. After the main line circuit has'been so finally closed. the continued movement of the free end of the h lever 114 toward the contact 126 will finally result in said lever moving such contact away from the contact 127 and thereby breaking the previously established current path through the actuating winding of the selector K. After all parts havebeen brought to rest, leaving the arm 136' one step away from the stop 137, as just described-upon the commencement of a subsequent signal from any initiating station, the various parts will act as hereinbefore more fully explained and, upon the closure of the main line circuit incident to the engagement of the second tooth of the code wheel 31 of the active station with the tip 51 associated therewith. the actuating winding of the electromagnet 135' will be momentarily energized, and the arm 136 will thereupon be moved a second step away from the stop 137; but such energization of said electromagnet will be for an insuflicient period to permit the arm 136' to be locked in its advanced pos tion and. upon the next succeeding deenergization of said magnet, said arm 136 will be moved, by

tliespring 138, into engagement with the stop 137. 1

, Should it be desired to. cause the transmission of a signal in such manner that the manifestor M will respond thereto, the bandle 32 of a desired one of the initiating stations should be turned far enough to move three or more ofthe teeth of the ratchet wheel 33 past the coengaging end of the dog 34, and such handle should thereupon be released; whereupon the various parts willact as hereinbefore more fully explained during the first two revolutions of the code wheel 31, but, at the conclusion of the second of such revolutions. the cam 42 will move the contacts 71 and 7 3 into engagement with the contacts 75 and 76. respectively, so that, during succeeding revolutions of said code wheel 31. additional current paths will be established through the contacts 66 and 67 so that 'while the raised faces 61 and 62 are passing under the tip 65, the main circuit will be closed through engagement of the contact 64 with the contacts 66 and 67. As a result of such long closures of the main signaling circuit, the arm 136' of the selector K will be moved two successive steps away from the stop 137 and will be there held until the main circuit is again closed, incident to the engagement of the first tooth of the code wheel 3]. with the tip 51, whereupon the arm 136 will be moved into engagement with the stop 139 and contact 140. When the arm 136 has been moved, as just described, a locking current path will be established for the selector K and an actuating current path will be established for the manifestor M; said locking current path extending from one terminal of the source S, through conductor 21 to and through conductor 150, to and through the locking winding of the magnet 135 of selector K, thence through conductor 151, contact 140, arm 136', spring 138, conductors 158 and 154, contacts 127 and 126, and conductors 166, 165, 98 and 30 to the other terminal of the source S; and said actuating path extending from one terminal of the battery S, through conductor 21 to and through conductor 152, through armature and front stop of relay R, through conductors 153 and 156 to and through winding of the ma net of .the manifesting device M, thence t rough conductor 157 and stop 139 to arm 136', and thence through the path hereinbefore indicated to the other terminal of the battery S.

Upon establishment of the actuating current path for the manifesting device M, as just described, said device will act in response to the signal impulse then in effect; and, because of the establishment of the current path through the locking winding of the electromagnet 135, the arm 136' of the selector K will be retained in engagement with the stop 139 and contact 140 regardless of subsequent breaks between the armature and front contact of the relay B, so long as the contact 126 continues to engage the contact 127 in the register I. The device M will therefore effectively manifest all subsequent changes in the condition of the main signaling circuit from normal to abnormal until, after the conclusion of the signal, the contact 126 is finally moved away from the contact 127 in the register I. When the contact 126 is moved, as just described, the current path through the locking winding of the electromagnet 135 of the selector K will be broken and the associated arm 136' will thereupon move away from the stop 139 and contact 140 and into engagementwith the stop" 137. 7

Should the main line circuit be unintentionally opened, as, for example, by rupture of the conductor 26,-the armatures of the relays R and R" will move to retracted position, and the controlling magnets of the tap bells T, T and the registers I, I associated therewith with be effectively energized; thereby causing effective signal manifestations by said registers, and the buzzers Z, Z will thereafter sound continuously. If it is desired to break the current paths established upon the retraction of the armatur-es of the relays R and R, as just described, either for the purpose of silencing the buzzers Z, Z or for the purpose of avoiding needless drain of energy from the batteries S and S,the arms 130 of the switches J, J should be moved from their normally engaged contacts 132 to their associatcd contacts 131. If one of. the signal initiating stations should be operated, while the conductor 26 is broken and the switches J, J are positioned as just described, a cur rent path would be established through the ground connection 7 of such station and the central office ground connection G, upon the withdrawal of the face 63 from the path of the tip 65, at the commencement of the operation of such station. Assuming that the handle 32 of initiating station A is turned far enough to move one or two of the teeth of the associated ratchet wheel 33 past the co-engaging end of the dog 34, while the conduetor 26 is broken,upon release of such handle, the code wheel 31 will rotate and thereby withdrawthe intermediate face 63 from the path of the tip 65 and the contact 64 will thereupon move into engagement with the contact 68, thereby'establishing a current path as follows: from one terminal of the source S, through conductors 30, 98 and 99, ground G, the earth between said ground and ground 9 of said station A,

through said ground (7, conductor 84, terminal 83, conductors 88 and 90, contacts (in and 64, conductors 96 and 95, contacts 52 and 53, and conductors 86 and 85 to terminal 81 of said station A, thence through conductor 23, magnet of relay R, and conduetor 21 to other terminaLof source S, As

suming now that the arm 130 of switch l associated with said relay R is resting upon its contact 131, the movement of the arma ture of said relay upon the aforesaid energization of this magnet will establish a current path extending from oneterminal of the source S, through conductors 21 and 152, armature and front contact of relay R, conductors 153 and 155, contacts 131 and arm 130 of switch J, conductors 160 and 162, to and through buzzer Z, thence through conductors 163 and 161 to and through magnet of tapper bell T, thence through conductor 164, magnet 101 of register I, conductors 165, 98 and 30 to the other terminal of said battery S. c

Upon establishment of the current path just described, the tapper bell T and the buzzer Z will sound, and the electromagnet of the register I will be effectively energized, whereupon the mechanism of said register will immediately act to permit the contact 126 to move into engagement withthe contact 127 and thereby effect energization of the actuating winding of the electromag- -net 135' of the selector K. Upon such 1 thereby energization of the winding of such selector, the arm 136 thereof will be moved one step away from the stop 137'. Before the elapse of a sufficient interval thereafter to cause retention of said arm in its moved position, the first tooth of the code wheel 31 of the acting initiating station would be withdrawn from thepath of the tip 51, and its contact 52 wouldthereupon move away from its contacts 53 and 54 and thereby interrupt the current path through the winding of t e relay R; whereupon the armature of said relay wouldmove to retractedvposition and break-the current path through the 'electromagnet 135 and thereby permit the ill . closures in arm 136 to move 1nto engagement with the step 137. During the subsequent action of any signaling'st-ation operated under the conditions just described, the buzzer Z, tap bell T and register I would act in response to closures in the current path through the winding of the magnet of the relay R (instead of so acting in response to breaks in said path, as would be the case were the switch J normally positioned) but, otherwise, the action of the devices controlled by the relay R correspond with those in response to a signal transmitted under ordiconditions, except as hereinafter more fully explained. Because ofthe significant response of the tap bell T and register I to the current path through the magnet of the relay R (instead of to breaks in said path), as just described, the significant manifestations of said bell and register in response to emergency signals will be different under the abnormal conditions just described than would be the case when the associated switch J is normally positioned.

Assuming, now, that the handle 32 of initiating station A is turned far enough to move three or more of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 33 past the co-engagin end of the dog 34 thereof, while the con uctor 2 6 is'broken, and the arm 130 of the switch J associated with relay R is resting upon contact 131; upon release of such handle, the various parts will act as hereinbeforejust explained in greater detail, during the first two revolutions of the code wheel 31, but, at the conclusion of the second of such revolutions, the cam 42 will move the contacts 71 and 73 into engagement with the contacts 75 and 76, respectively, so ceeding revolutions of said code wheel 31, additional current paths will be established through the contacts 66 and 67 so that while the raised faces 61 and 62 are passing under nary ' the tip 65, a current path corresponding to that, during the suc- 76 and 73, conductors 94 and 5 thence to the other terminal of battery S through the path hereinbefore just described. As a result of the long closures of the current path referred to, the arm 136' and the selector K will be moved two successive steps away from the stop 137 and will be there held until said current path is again closed, incident to the engagement of the first tooth of the code wheel 31 with the tip 51, whereupon said arm 136 will be moved into engagement with the.stop .139 and contact 140; with the result hereinbefore described in greater detail.

For certain conditions of service (as, example, when the manifesting devices T, I and M are grouped together for concurfor rent observation) emergency :signals will 7 be read from the manifesting device M, and the manifestations of the bell T and register I become comparatively unimportant during the activity of the manifestor If operating conditions are such that a eorre-, sponding manifestation of all signals should be afforded by the registers, regardless of circuit conditions, other embodiments of this invention than that disclosed by Fig. 1 will give more satisfactory results, ffdr reasons which are hereinafter, more fully explained;

The operation of the apparatus and devices responsive to the relay R corresponds to that of the apparatus and devices responsive to the relay R, except as to the means provided for retaining the selector K in its fully actuated position. Referring to the drawing, it will be observed that the 'electromagnet 135 of the-selector K will be ,energized whenever the armature of the relayis in retracted position while the contact 126 engages the contact 127 in the associated register I, the current path through the winding ofthe electromagnet of said selector corresponding to the current path through the actuating winding of the electromagnet 135 of the selector K, as hereinbe-v fore more fully described. It is therefore evident that the selector K will respond to signaling impulse affecting the relay R" in a manner corresponding to that in which the selector K responds to signaling impulses affecting the relay R, and that whenever the relay R" has been affected by the 139 associated therewith. Upon engagement of the stop 139 by the arm 136, as just described. a current path will be established through the electromagnet winding of the lock-up relay L as follows: from one terminal of the battery S" through conductors 27 and 150 to and through the winding of the electromagnet of the relay L, thence through conductor 167, stop 139, arm 136, spring 138 and conductors 158 and 154 to contact 127 of register I, thence through said contact, through contact 126. through conductors 166, 165, 98 and 29 to the other terminal of the battery S.

Upon the establishment of a current path through the winding of the electromagnet of the lock-up relay L, as just described, the

armature of said relay will move to attracted position, and will thereby establish a shunt around the stop 139 and arm 136 of selector K, which shunt comprises the conductors 168 and 169 and the armature and one of the front stop contacts of said relay L. It is evident that, after the establishment of such shunt current path, the energization of the ele-ctromagnet of the relay L will be unaffected by the relationship between the arm 136 and the stop 139 of the selector K. Upon movement of the armature of the relay L to its attracted position, as just described, a current path will be established through the conductor 157, the front stop contacts and armatures of the relay L and the conductor 169, between the conductor 158 and an end of the winding of the electromagnet of the manifesting device M, corresponding to that established by engagement of the arm 136 of the selector K with the stop 139 associated therewith, as hereinbefore described; so that so long as the armature of the lock-up relay L remains in attracted position the manifesting device associated therewith will act in response to the relay R,

The response of the relays' R and R", either concurrently or independently, under various abnormal circuit conditions will be well understood by those skilled in this art, and therefore will not be further herein described in detail.

Referring now to the embodiment of this invention which is disclosed byFig. 2, it will be observed that the arrangement of the initiating stations a, b and c, the relays r and 1", the batteries s and 8", the conductors therebetween and the ground con nections associated therewith correspond in every particular with those shown by Fig. l; but the manifesting station equipment shown by Fig. 2 differs in that the manifesting device M associated with the relay 1" is arranged to sound continuously throughout manifestations of code signals, instead of acting but once in response to each stroke of such signals: and the manifestor I associated with the relay 1" is not sub]cct to the control of the switch J. but correspondingly responds to all similar changes in the condition of the current path through the clcctromagnet winding of the relay 7". regardless of the positioning of said switch J.

The manifesting device M is diagrammatically illustrated'as a so-called vibrating shunt bell, said bell being controlled through the cooperation of the selector K and lock-up relay L in a manner similar to, that in which the selector-K and the cooperating lock-up relay L of Fig. 1 control the manifesting device M associated therewith. It will be evident that the manifesting device M could he correspondingly controlled by the self locking selector K of Fig. 1.

Whenever the arm 136 of the selector K which is associated with the manifesting device M is moved into engagement with its coacting stop 139, a current path will be established from one terminal of the battery 8, through conductors 21 and 150 to one terminal of the manifesting device M, thence through said device to the other terminal thereof, thence through conductor 171 to and through the winding of the electromagnet of the lock-up relay L, and through conductor 167 to stop 139 of the selector K; thence through said stop 139, through arm 136 and spring 138 associated therewith, through conductor 158 to and through contacts 127 and 126 of register I, and thence through conductors 166, 165, 98 and 30 to the other terminal of the battery 8. Upon the establishment of the current path just described, the manifesting device M will commence to act and the electromagnet of the lock-up relay L will be effectively energized. Upon the energization of said magnet, as just described, the armature of said relay will move to attracted position and thus establish a current path from conductor 167, through conductor 168, the armature and front stop of said relay, and through conductor 169 to conductor 158: thus short-circuiting the initial current path through stop 139 and arm 136. It is evident that, when the relay L has acted as just described, the manifesting device M will thereafter act continuously so long as the contact 126 continues to engage the contact 127 in the register I. This arrangement of manifesting devices is suited for operating conditions in which the manifestor M is so situated as to serve to draw attention to the signals manifested by the tap bell T and the register I; and particularly to circumstances under which it is desirable to provide a continuous manifestation during the formulation of emergency signals.

Signaling devices responsive to the relay loo lln

1" are so arranged that, while the switch J is normally positioned, three independent current paths are directly controlled by said relay, one of which paths comprises the conductor 153 and the winding of the electromagnet 135 of the selector K arrangrd in a manner similar to that of the corrcspon ling path controlled by the relay R" of Fig. l: a second path extends. from one terminal of the battery 8', through conductors 27 and 152, and through the armature and back stop of the relay 7'', through conductors 159 and 173, to and through winding of electromagnet 101 of register I, thence through conductors 165, 98 and 29, to the other terminal of said battery; and the third of which paths corresponds with thatjust described to and including the armature of the relay 1"", from which it passes either from the front stop or back stop (as determined by the positioning of the switch arm 130) thence through the conductor 159 and contact 132 or the conductors 153 and 155 and the contact 131, as the case may be, to and through the arm 130, through conductor 160, to and through resistance U and buzzer Z in parallel, thence through conductor 161 to and through the winding of the electromagnet of the bell T, thence through conductors 172, 165, 98 and 29-to the other terminal of the battery 8'.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the switch J' may be utilized for silencing the buzzer Z in the event that the main line circuit stands open for an extended period, in a manner corresponding to that in which the switches J may be utilized, as hereinbefore more fully described; but that, on the other hand. the winding of the electromagnet 101 of the register I is always controlled through the back stop of the relay r, and hence, significant action of said register will take place only when the armature of the relay r moves from attracted to retracted position. regardless of the positioning of the switch J.

Inasmuch as it is believed that the foregoing illustrative clv ainples are sufficient to enable those skilled inthis art to apply this invention to such other combinations of operating conditions as"f re likely to be met with in practice. no otherembodiments thereof are shown by the a '.-companying drawings or herein described.

'hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters'latcnt of the United States is:-

1. In a signaling system: a signal circuit: means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating t-wo classes of impulses therein. the nnpulses of one of such classes occurring in groups comprising a certain numerical characteristic: aretarded operative device having circuit controlling means and actuating means responsive to each circuit impulse of either class to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means until after the expiration of a PIEClOtGl'll'liIlQCl interval; a warning signal responsive to changes in condition of said circuit; adjustable means for interchanging the relative etiectiveness of changes in the condition of said circuit from normal or from abnormal for causing significant response of said actuating means and said warning signal: selective means associated with said circuit and the controlling means and responsive. irrespective of the adjustment of said adjustable means. only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and only to groups of impulses comprising such characteristic. to attain a certain condition; and a signal manifesting device involving means, including said controlling means and said selective means, for rendering said device significantly responsive to changes in the condition of said circuit from abnormal to normal only/following attainment by said selective means of said certain condition thereof and only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and means governed by said controlling means and responsive to said selective means only upon attainment of said certain condition thereby, to thereafter render said manifesting device responsive to impulses in said circuit only until the termination of abnormal conditioning of said controlling means.

2. In a signaling system: a signal circuit; means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, the impulses of one of such classes occurring in groups comprising a certain numerical characteristic; a retarded operative device having circuit controlling means and actuating means responsive to each circuit impulse of either class to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means until after the expiration of a predetermined interval; adjustable means for interchanging the relative etlectiveness of changes in the condition of said circuit from normal or from abnormal for causing significant response of said actuating means; Felectivemeans associated with said circuit and the controlling means and .responsive, irrespective of the adjustment of said adjustable means, only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and only to groups oi impulses comprising such characteristic, to attain a certain condition: and a signal manifesting device involving means. including said controlling means and said selective means, for rendering said device significantly responsive to changes in the condition of said circuit from abnormal to normal only following attainment by said selective means of said certain condition thereof and only during abnormal conditioning'ot' said controlling means. and means lift lilo

Ilu

vice responsive to impulses in said circuit only until the termination of abnormal conditioning of said controlling means.

3. In a signaling system: a signal circuit; means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, the impulses of one of such classes occurring in groups comprising a certain numerical characteristic; a warning signal responsive to changes in condition of said circuit; adjustable means for interchanging the relative effectiveness of changes in the condition of said circuit from normal or from abnormal for causing significant response of said warning signal; a retarded operative device having circuit controlling means and actuating means responsive to each circuit impulse of either class to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means until after the expiration of a predetermined interval; selective means associated with said circuit and the controlling means and responsive only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and only to groups of impulses comprising such characteristic, to attain a certain condition; and a signal manifesting device involving means, including said controlling means and said selective means, for rendering said devicevsignificantly responsive to changes in the condition of said circuit only followin attainment by said selective means of sai certain condition thereof and only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and means governed by said controlling means and responsive to said selective means only upon attainment of said certain condition thereby, to thereafter render said manifesting device responsive to impulses in said circuit only-. nntil the termination of abnormal conditioning of said controlling means.

4. In a signaling system: a signal circuit; means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, the impulses of one of such classes occurring in groups comprising a certain numerical characteristic; a retarded operative device having circuit controlling means and actuating means responsive to each circuit impulse of either class to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means until after the expiration of a predetermined interval; selective means associated with said circuit and the controL ling means and responsive only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and only to groups of impulses comprising such characteristic, to attain a certain condition; and a signal manifesting device involving means, including said conmeans of said certain condition thereof and only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, and means governed by said controlling means and responsive to said selective means only upon attainment of said certain condition thereby, to thereafter render said manifesting device responsive to impulses in said circuit only until the termination of abnormal conditioning of said controlling means.

5. In a signaling system: a signal circuit; a current source connected in said circuit and having a ground connection intermediate the terminals thereof; line relays connected in said circuit at respective sides of said current source and each havin front and back contacts; means connected 1n said circuit for formulating therein, and between said circuit and the ground, predetermined groups of one or both .of two classes of impulses; a group of manifesting-station devices for each of said line relays, each of said groups comprising, a selector having contacts and means including an actuating magnet for causing closure of said contacts only in response to a predetermined group of impulse; of one of said classes; retarded operative means including contacts, a magnet and means responsive to a predetermined change in the condition of said magnet for causing abnormal conditioning of said contacts until after the expiration of a time longer than the longest interval between the impulses .of any signal during which the condition of said magnet is not subjected to such change; conductors providing a path from said current source for joint control by the associated line relay and the contacts of said retarded operative means to control said selector magnet; a lock-up relay; conductors, including some of the aforesaid, providing a path from said current source for joint control by the contacts of said selector and said retarded operative means forinitial energization of said lock-up relay; conductors, including some of the aforesaid, proriding a path from said current source for joint control by the contacts of said retarded operative device and said lock-up relay for maintaining said relay in'locked-up condition; a manifesting device; conductors, including some of the aforesaid, providing a path from said current source for joint control by the associated line relay and the contacts of said retarded operative device and said lock-up relay to control said manifesting device; a second signal manifesting means; continuously operable warning means; conductors, including some of the aforesaid, providing a path from said current source for control by the associated line relay subject to the adjustment of said adjustable means for governing the magnet of said retarded operative means, said second signal manifesting means and said continuously operable warning means; and means adjustable for selectively subjecting said last named path to control by the associated line relay through either the front or back contact thereof.

6. In a signaling system: a signal circuit; means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, the characteristicsof the impulses of one of said classes differing from those of the other of said classes, and the impulses of one of said classes being arranged to occur consecutively in groups of two or more; a relay responsive to all of said impulses and having front and back contacts; a selector having contacts and controllable by said relay to close said selector contacts only in response to such a group of impulses; means comprising contacts and responsive to said relay to cause'abnormal conditioning of said contacts upon each impulse in sai circuit and for an interval thereafter longer than the longest interval between impulses of anysignal; a circuit changer for rendering said last named means responsive to said relay through either the front or back contact thereof; a lock-up relay responsive to closure of said selector contacts to thereby establish a shunt current path around such contacts; and a signal manifester jointly -ontrolled by said first named relay, sald lock-up relay and said last named means.

7. In a signaling sy tem; a main line circuit including initiating stations and a relay responsive thereto. said relay having both front and back stop contacts, in combination with a signal responsive. device, means for associating said device with either the front or the-back stop contact of said relay, a selector and a signal manifestor associated therewith, means controlled by said signal device for rendering said selector responsive to said relay through a connection with the front stop contact thereof, and means controlled by said signal device and said selector for rendering said manifestor responsive to signaling impulses of said main line circuitby connection of said manifestor to the front stop contact of said relay.

In a signaling system; a main line circuit including initiating stations and a relay responsive thereto, said relay ha'ving both front and back stop contacts, in combination with a signal device, means for associating said device with either the front or back stop contacts of said relay, a selector and a signal manifestor, circuit connections between said selector and said ma'nifestor and the front stop only of said relay, means controlled by said signal device for rendering such selector connection effective during current path. means responsive to said main line circuit for causing changes in the condition of said local current path and involving adjustable means whereby the condition of said local current path will be changed either correspondingly or oppositely to changes in the condition of said main line circuit, in con'ibination with a controller connected in said current path including means conditioned upon each change in the condition of said path from normal to abnormal to act for a predetermined interval thereafter, a selector including means whereby it attains a certain condition only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes and so governed by said controller as to be responsive to impulses in said circuit only during action of said controller, connections whereby the relationship of said selector to said circuit is such as to be un affected by alterations in the adjustment of said adjustable means, and a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit only when said selector has attained its said certain condition.

10. In a signaling system; a main line circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, a local current path, means responsive to said main line circuit for causing changes in the condition of saidlocal current path and involving adjustable means whereby the condition of said local current path will be changed either correspondingly or oppositely to changes in the condition of said main line circuit\ in combination with a controller connected in said current path including means conditioned upon each change in the condition of said path from normal to ahnormal to act for a predetermined inferval thereatleiz a selector includii'ig means whereby it attains a certain condition only in resj'mnse to a group of impulses of one of said classes and so governed by said controller as to be responsive to impulses in said circuit only during action of said controller, connections whereby the relationship of said selector to said circuit is such as to be unatlected by alterations in the adjustment of said adjustable means, and a signal manlfestor involving means rendered eti'ect'ive by said selector, upon attainment thereby of said cerfain condition, for thereafter-i causing said manifestor to give significant signal manifestations only in response to changes in the condition of said circuit from abnormal to normal.

11. In a signaling system; a main line circuit including means for selectively formulatmg two classes of impulses therein, a local current path, means responslve to said mam line circuit for causing changes in the condition of said local current path and involving adjustable means whereby the condition of said local current path will be changed either correspondingly or oppositely to changes in the condition of said main line circuit, in combination with a controller connected in said current path including means conditioned upon each change in the condition of said path from normal to abnormal to act for a predetermined interval thereafter, a selector including means whereby it. attains a certain condition only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes and so governed by said controller as to be responsive to impulses in said circuit only during action of said controller, and a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit only when said selector has attained its said certain condition.

12. In a signaling system; a mainline circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein. a local current path, means responsive to said main line circuit for causing changes in they condition of said local current path and involving adjustable means whereby the condition of said local current path Will be changed either correspondingly or oppositely to changes in the condition of said main line circuit, in combination with a controller connected in said current path including means conditioned upon each change in the condition of said path from normal to abnormal to act for a predetermined interval thereafter, a selector including means whereby it attains a certain condition only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes and so governed by said controller as to be responsive to impulses in said circuit only during the action of said controller, and a signal manifestor involving means rendered etl'ective by said selector upon attainment thereby of said certain condition, for thereafter causing activity of said manifestor.

13. In a signaling system; a main line circuit including initiating stations and a relay responsive thereto, said relay having both front and back stop contacts, in combination with a signal device, means for associating said device with either the front or back stop contacts of said relay, a signal manitestor and means for connecting it with the front stop only of said relay, and means controlled by said signal device for rendering effective such connection of said manifestor during activity of said device.

14. In a signaling system; a signal circuit including a current source and signal initiating stations each comprising means so arranged as to be adjustable for formulating a code signal by abnormally conditioning said circuit and thereafter repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for intervals each of substantially uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for other intervals each of substantially longer duration, in combination with a retarded operative signal responsive device having circuit controlling means and actuating means therefor responsive to changes in the condition of said circuit to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means for an interval longer than the longest interval between circuit changes incident to the formulation of any signal, adjustable means for interchanging the relative effectiveness of changes in the condition of said circuit from normal or from abnormal for causing abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, a signal manifestor, a selector so controlled by said controlling means as to be responsive to said circuit only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means, means for rendering said selector correspondingly responsive to all like changes in the condition of said circuit regardless of the adjustment of said adjustable means, means involving said selector for so controlling said manifestor as to render same responsive to said circuit only after repeated normal conditioning thereof for intervals each longer than said first named intervals, and means effective throughout abnormal conditioning of said controlling meansfor maintaining such responsive relationship of said manifestor, after establishment thereof.

15. In a signaling system; a normally closed signal circuit including a current source, signal initiating stations connected in said circuit and each comprising means so arranged as to be adjustable for formulating a code signal by breaking said circult and thereafter repeatedly closing said circuit for intervals each of substantially uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly closing said circuit for other intervals each of substantially longer duration, in combination with a retarded operative signal responsive device having circuit controlling means and actuating means therefor responsive to breaks and makes of said circuit to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means for an interval longer than the longest interval between breaks or makes of any signal, a signal manifestor, selective means responsive to makes and breaks in said circuit only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means to render said manifestor responsive to makes and breaks in said circuit only after repeated circuit closures 16. In a signaling system; a signal circuit including a current source and signal initiating stations each comprising means so arragned as to be adjustable for formulating a. code signal by abnormally conditioning .said circuit and thereafter repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for intervals each of substantially uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for-formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for other intervals each of substantially longer duration, in combination with a retarded'operative signal responsive device having circuit controlling means and actuating means therefor responsive to changes in the condition of said circuit to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means for an interval longer than the longest interval between circuit changes incident to the formulation of any signal, a signal manifestor, selective means responsive to such circuit changes only durin abnormal conditioning of said contro ling means to render said manifestor responsive to such circuit changes only after repeated normal conditioning thereof for intervals each longer than said first named intervals, and means effective throughout abnormal conditioning of said controlling means for maintaining such responsive relationship of said manifestor, after establishment thereof.

17. A main line signal circuit including code signal initiating stations arranged to formulate one or both of two classes of impulses in and between said circuit and the ground, a ground connection for stud C11- cuit, and current sources and mam line relays at respective sides of said connection, in

combination with sets of manifesting Stiftion devices for respective main line relays each'of which sets" comprises a controller responsive to each impulse insaid circuit tobe abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval thereafter, a signal manifestor, a selector responsive to a predetermined group of impulses of one of said classes to attain a certain condition, and means operable in response to the attainment by said selector of said certain'condition to render said manifestor responsive to impulses in said circuit and thereafter effective to maintain such responsiveness throughout abnormal conditioning of said controlling means. v

18. In a signaling system; a signal circuit including a current source and signal initiating stations each comprising means so arranged as to be adjustable for formulating a code signal by abnormally conditioning said circuit and thereafter repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for intervals each of substantially uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly normally conditioning said clrcuit for other intervals each of substantially longer duration, in combination with a retarded operative signal responsive device having-circuit controlling means and actuating means therefor responsive to changes in the condition of said circuit to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means for an interval longer than the longest interval between circuit changes incidcnt to the fornmlation'of any signal, a signal ma'nifestor, selective means responsive ,to su'ch circuit changes only during abnormal conditioning of said controlling means to render said manifestor responsive to such circuit changes only after repeatedmormal' conditioning thereof for intervals each longer than said first named intervals, and

means for suitably maintaining such responsive relationship of said manifestor after establishment thereof.

19. A main line si nal circuit including means for selectively ormulatingtwo classes of impulses therein and between said circuit and the ground; a ground connection for said circuit; and current sources and main line relays at respective sides of said connection; in combination with sets of manifesting station devices for respective main line relays each of which sets comprises a warning signal, means for connecting said signal to the associated line relay and so adjustable that said signalwill give warning of changes in the condition of such relay either from normal to abnormal or from abnormal to normal, a controller responsive to the associated line relay to conditioned upon each impulse to which said relay responds to act for a predetermined interval thereafter and thereby abnormally condition a member thereof, selective means responsive to the associatedrelay only during abnormal conditioning of said controller member to at-' tain a certain condition only when said rela has acted in res onse to a "rou of im- 1 pulses in said circuit of one of said classes, a lock-up device arranged for change from normal to abnormal .condition only when said selector attains said certain condition thereof and to change vfrom abnormal to normal condition only upon termination of abnormal conditioning of said controller member, a signal manife'stor involving means for rendering same responsive to the associated line relay only when said selector has attained its said certain condition and thereafter while said lock-up device is abnormally conditioned.

20. In a signaling system: a signal circuit and means connected in said circuit for selectivelyformulating two classes of impulsestherein; in combination with a controller responsive to impulses in said circuit to be thereafter abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval; means for adjusting the relationship of said controller to said circuit so as to cause such abnormal conditioning of said controller upon changes in the condition of said circuit either from normal to abnormal or from abnormal to normal; a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit, irrespective of the relationship established between said controller and said circuit by said adjustable means; a lockup device comprising a member movable to abnormal position for rendering said manifestor responsive to such circuit impulses and means for preventing movement of such member from abnormal to normal position during abnormal conditioning of said controller; and selective means operable only during abnormal conditioning of said controller to cause abnormal positioning of said lock-up device member in response to impulses in said circuit irrespective of the controller relationship established by said adjustable means, and only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes.

21'. In a signaling system: a signal circuit and means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein; in combination with a controller responsive to impulses in said circuit to be thereafter abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval; means for adjusting the relationship of said controller to said circuit so as to cause such abnormal conditioning of said controller upon changes in the condition of said circuit either from normal to ab-- normal or from abnormal to normal; a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit; a lock-up device comprising a member movable to abnormal position for rendering said manifestor responsive to such circuit impulses and means for preventing movement of such member from abnormal to normal position during abnormal conditioning of said controller; and selective means operable only during abnormal conditioning of said controller to cause abnormal positioning of said lock-up device member only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes.

22. A main line signaling circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein; in combination with a controller responsive to each impulse formulated in said circuit to be thereafter abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval; a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit; a lock-up device comprising a member movable to abnormal pmamas sition for rendering said manifestor responsive to said circuit impulsesand means for preventing movement of such member from abnormal to normal position during abnormal conditioning of said controller; and selective means operable only during abnormal conditioning of said controller to cause aforesaid responsiveness of said manifestor and abnormal positioning of said lock-up de-- vice member only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes.

23. A main line signal circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein; in combination with a controller responsive to each impulse forumlated in said circuit to be thereafter abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval; a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit; a lock-up device comprising a member movable to abnormal position for rendering said manifestor responsive to said circuit impulses and means for preventing movement of such member from abnormal to normal position throughout abnormal conditioning of said controller; and selective means operable to cause aforesaid responsiveness of said manifestor and abnormal positioning of said lock-up member only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes.

24. A main line signaling circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein; in combination with a controller responsive to each impulse formulated in said circuit to be thereafter abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval; a signal manifestor involving means for rendering same responsive to impulses in said circuit; a lock-up device comprising a member movable to abnormal position for rendering said manifestor responsive to said circuit impulses and means for preventing movement of such member from abnormal to normal position during abnormal conditioning of said controller; and selective means operable only during abnormal conditioning of said controller to cause aforesaid abnormal positioning of said lockup device member only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes.

25. A main line signal circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, in combination with a selector operable to attain a certain condi tion only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes, a controller responsive to each impulse in said circuit to bev abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval thereafter and involving means effectix e during such abnormal conditioning for rendering said selector responsive to impulses in said circuit, a signal manifestor operable in response to impulses in said circuit, and means so governed by said selector and said controller as to render said manifestor responsive to such circuit im ulses upon attainment of such condition 0 said selector and thereafter throughout abnormal conditioning of said controller.

26'. A main line signal circuit including means for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, in combination with a selector operable to attain a certain condition only in response to a group of impulses of one of said classes, a controller responsive to each impulse in said circuit to be abnormally conditioned for a predetermined interval thereafter and involving means effective during suchabnormal conditioning for rendering saidselecfor responsive to impulses in said circuit, a signal manifestor operable in response to impulses, in said circuit, and means so governed by said selector and said controller as to render said manifestor responsive to such circuit impulses upon attainment of such condition of said selector.

27. In a signaling system; a signal circuit including a current source and signal initiatlng stations each comprising means so arranged as to be adjustable for formulating a code signal by abnormally conditioning said circuit and thereafter repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for intervals each of substantially uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly normally conditionin said circuit for other intervals each of su stantially longer duration, in combination with a retarded operative signal responsive device having circuit controlling means and actuating means therefor responsive to changes in the condition of saidcircuit to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controllingmeans for an interval longer than the longest interval between circuit changes incident to the formulation of any signal, a signal manifestor, selective means responsive to such circuit changes only during abnor mal conditioning of said controlling means to render said manifestor responsive to such circuit changes only after repeated normal conditioning thereof for intervals each longer than said first named intervals.

28. In a signaling system; a si al circuit including a current source and signal initiating stations each comprising means so arranged as to be adjustable for formulating a code si al by abnormally conditioning said circuit and thereafter repeatedly normally conditionin said circuit for intervals each of substantia ly uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly normally conditioning said circuit for other intervals each of substantially longer duration, in ,combinatiqn with a signal manifestor, a selector operable in response to the signals formulated in said circuit and comprising means for renderingsa1d manifestor responsive to signals in said circuit only after repeated normal conditionmg thereof for intervals each longer than said first named intervals, and means controlled by said selector for maintaining suchresponsive relationship of said manifestor, after establishment thereof.

29. In a signaling system; a signal circuit including a current source and signal initiating stations each comprising means so arranged as to be adjustable for formulating a code signal by abnormally conditioning said circuit and thereafter repeatedly nor-- mally conditioning said circuit for intervals each of substantially uniform and comparatively brief duration, and also adjustable for formulating a supplemental signal by repeatedly normally conditioningv said circuit ship of said manifestor, after establishment.

thereof.

30. In a signaling system, a signaling circuit, means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, two signal manifesting devices, one of which includes means for connecting it to said circuit to respond toall impulses therein, selective means responsive to only one of the classes of impulses to connect the other of said signal'manifesting devices to said circuitto make it responsive to all impulses therein and means responsive to each impulse to condition the selective means for response to impulses of the roper class until the expiration of a time onger than the longest interval between the 1mpulses of any signal during which time no signal impulses are formulated in said circuit.

31. In a signaling system: a signal circuit; means connected in said circuit for selectively formulating two classes of impulses therein, the impulses of one of such classes occurring in groups comprising a certain numerical characteristic; a retarded operative device having circuit controlling means and actuating means responsive to each circuit impulse of either class to thereafter cause abnormal conditioning of said controlling means until after the expiration of a predetermined interval; selective means responsive only to groups of impulses comprising such characteristic, to attain a certain condition; and a signal manifesting device involving means, including said con- 

